Description: The Beriev A-100 is an advanced Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft developed on the basis of the Il-476 military transport aircraft. The aircraft will be fitted with a new advanced active phase array capable of detecting and tracking airborne, sea-based and land-based targets. The Premier can detect a jet-sized aircraft at 600 kilometers away and a warship at 400 kilometers. The aircraft will also enjoy the longer range offered by the Il-476 airplane. Besides, the Russian aircraft is fitted with state-of-the-art electronic warfare (EW) capabilities to suppress enemy radars and communications which is something lacking all Western AWACS. The Russian Air Force intends to field the first A-100 aircraft by 2016 as the replacement for the existing fleet of 20 A-50 AWACS aircraft. The A-100 AWACS aircraft project was revealed in August 2011 by the chief of the Russian Air Force. As of summer 2016, the maiden flight of the A-100 radar is expected in March 2017 and the first representative aircraft will take to the skies in 2018. The A-100 Premier may enter into service with the Russian Air Force by 2020.